Trump Ramps Up Support for Tesla and Musk At White House Event

What would it take for this president to get you behind the wheel of a new Tesla? $299 per month? $199 per month? What if he bought one himself, even though he’ll never be able to drive it? President Trump took to the White House’s South Lawn with Tesla CEO Elon Musk yesterday to announce that he’d just purchased a new Model S and chide anti-Tesla protesters.

“I think he’s been treated very unfairly by a very small group of people, and I just want people to know that he can’t be penalized for being a patriot, and he’s a great patriot, and he’s also done an incredible job with Tesla,” Trump said. While he won’t be able to drive the car, Trump said it would stay at the White House for staff use.

Ethics concerns aside, and there are many, it’s surreal seeing the president shilling cars at the White House in an effort to juice revenue for a non-government entity. Tesla sales have taken a hit, seeing declines across Europe after Musk so quickly and aggressively became involved with U.S. politics.

Tesla protests have intensified, leading to vandalism and attacks on Tesla factories, showrooms, and chargers, but Trump appears ready to wade into the situation, saying that vandalism of Tesla property would be classified as domestic terrorism by the federal government.

[Images: Waqas_creatives via Shutterstock]

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